Denver + Beer = Love

If you love beer, Denver is the place for you. Colorado is home to more than 80 brewpubs and 18 microbreweries, as well as two very major breweries – Coors and Anheuser-Busch. Colorado hosts top-notch beer festivals and events and boasts a beer history as rich as the brew itself. Known as the “Napa Valley of Beer,” the valley encompassing Boulder, Denver and Fort Collins is a must-visit location for beer enthusiasts. Read on to learn more about the area breweries, the beers, the fests, and the history of this celebrated libation.

Denver Breweries

The Mile High City is the ideal place to begin a tour of the area also known as the “Denver Beer Triangle.” Sip your way across the countryside while enjoying views of the majestic Rocky Mountains as your journey takes you from Denver to Boulder, then to Longmont and finally Fort Collins. Each brewery hosts tours so be sure to check them out as your sample the wares. Bottoms up!

Denver

Coors Brewery. Located 12 miles from downtown Denver, this granddaddy of them all is the largest single brewery in the world and the third-largest manufacturer of beer in the U.S. Take one of the free tours offered Monday through Saturday and learn about the history and art of brewing beer.

Wynkoop Brewing Company. Founded by Colorado State Gov. John Hickenlooper, this brewpub is both the oldest and the largest in the state. Relax with a game of pool or round of darts while enjoying a taste of Patty’s Chile Beer made with Anaheim chiles and smoked Ancho peppers.

Boulder

Boulder Beer Company. This microbrewery was founded in 1979, making it Colorado’s first. Try the Hazed & Infused American pale ale and discover why Boulder is known as the happiest city in America.

Avery Brewing Company. Eccentricity is the word at this popular brewer where Old World tradition meets modern ingenuity. The result is the must-try New World Porter.

Longmont

Oskar Blues Brewery. Oskar Blues Brewery uses cans to ensure maximum freshness of its craft beer. This is a fact you won’t forget due to the giant roadside attraction beer can located in front of the brewery.

Left Hand Brewing Co. Enjoy the award-winning Milk Stout or Sawtooth Ale while relaxing on the patio next to Longmont’s St. Vrain River. These beers have won awards both at home and abroad, so get ready to be wowed.

Fort Collins

New Belgium. This eco-friendly microbrewery produces up to 150,000 barrels a year, and does so entirely with wind power. New Belgium is known for its Fat Tire beer, but Ranger IPA is also a good bet.

Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. No trip to the Napa Valley of Beer is complete without a sojourn to the “king of beers” itself. Tour the brewery and learn the history behind this famous brewery. Don’t forget to visit the Clydesdales.

Denver Beers

Every day, more than 100 styles of beers are made and sold in Colorado. It’s something in the water – literally. The water from the Rockies is like no other, giving Colorado beers their distinctive character and taste. Below are just a few of the can’t-miss brews that make Colorado proud.

Vanilla Porter. Poetically described by the brewers at Breckenridge Brewery as a “vanilla kiss in a rich, dark sea,” the combination of roasted nut and chocolate with real vanilla bean will have beer connoisseurs swooning.

Railyard Ale. Sample this refreshing ale at Wynkoop Brewing Company, and watch the trains come and go from the historic Union Station. Both malty and fruity, this smooth amber is just one of several brewed-on-site beers.

Dry Stout. Not just any stout, this stout available at the Denver Chophouse and Brewery is stored in just-emptied whisky barrels courtesy of Austin Nichol’s distillery. Pair with a Chophouse steak for an unforgettable meal.

Denver Pale Ale. Either stop by your local liquor store or visit the Great Divide Brewing Co. Taproom for this English-style pale ale with hop flavor and a malty middle.

Pick Axe IPA. Make a day trip out of the 25-mile trek to the Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs where you’ll find this class Indian pale ale. This award-winning beer is worth the drive but if you can’t make it, Pick Axe IPA can also be found in local liquor stores.

Denver Beer Fest and the Great American Beer Festival

The Denver Beer Fest takes place at the end of September and includes a wide variety of events including beer tastings, tapping, meet-the-brewer nights, brewery tours, and more. The crowning glory of the event is the Great American Beer Festival, the largest beer festival in the country. The GABF showcases over 400 American brewers serving more than 1,800 different types of beers, competing for top honors in the beer-making industry.

Denver Beer-story

In 1859, the city of Denver was founded and beer production began right about the same time. It wasn’t until a few years later, in 1873 when Adolph Coors came to town, that beer brewing became the art form we know today. Now beer lovers gather from the world over to taste the excellent, diverse range of handcrafted beers Denver has to offer.

This sponsored guest post was written by Charles Watkins, who is a freelance writer, full time father, and beer enthusiast. He has more than 10 years of experience working in the travel industry.